The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918 (amended by an act of July 25, 1963), takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Captain (Corps of Engineers) Bernard Joseph Reilly, Jr., United States Army, for gallantry in action while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force on 12 May 1969 while serving as Commanding Officer of the 919th Engineer Company (Armored), 11th armored Cavalry Regiment, in the Republic of Vietnam. On this date Quan Loi Base Camp came under a barrage of enemy automatic weapons, mortar and rocket fire, and a section of the perimeter was penetrated by advancing hostile troops. Unhesitatingly, Captain Reilly led one of his platoons with its two assault vehicles to engage the enemy and seal the penetration. As it approached the bunker line, his element came under intense automatic weapons and rocket propelled grenade fire, and several of his men were wounded. Undaunted, he assaulted the group of approximately twenty enemy infiltrators and forced them to scatter. Captain Reilly then ran to one of the vehicles and administered aid to the wounded crew members. He stayed with the casualties and placed suppressive fire on the enemy positions until assistance arrived. During the remainder of the engagement, he moved among his men to insure that the wounded received medical attention and that his men were supplied with ammunition. Captain Reilly’s actions were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit and the United States Army.